قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِندِىٓ ۚ أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ أَهْلَكَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مَنْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّةً وَأَكْثَرُ جَمْعًا ۚ وَلَا يُسْـَٔلُ عَن ذُنُوبِهِمُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ 78
Translations
He said, "I was only given it because of knowledge I have." Did he not know that Allāh had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and greater in accumulation [of wealth]? But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked.
Transliteration
Qala innama ooteetuhu 'ala 'ilmin 'indi. Awalam ya'lam annallaha qad ahlaka min qablihi minal qurooni man huwa ashaddu minhu quwwatan wa aktharu jam'an. Wa la yus'alu 'an dhunubihimul mujrimoon.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records the arrogant response of Qarun (Korah) when the believers advised him to use his wealth for charitable purposes. Qarun attributed his vast wealth and knowledge solely to his own merit and personal knowledge, failing to acknowledge Allah's role in his provision. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that Allah responds to this arrogance by reminding Qarun of previous nations far more powerful and wealthy than him who were destroyed due to their transgression, emphasizing that earthly power and wealth guarantee neither safety nor exemption from divine punishment.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Qarun in Surah Al-Qasas, which tells of a wealthy man from the people of Musa (Moses) who became arrogant due to his riches and rejected sincere advice. The context illustrates the danger of wealth-induced arrogance and the illusion of self-sufficiency without divine recognition.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned against such arrogance in wealth-related matters. A relevant principle is found in Sunan Ibn Majah and other collections where the Prophet stated that wealth and children are adornments of this life, but the everlasting good deeds are better. Additionally, Hadith Qudsi emphasizes that Allah does not look at wealth or appearance, but at hearts and deeds.
Themes
Key Lesson
True success lies not in accumulating wealth or power, but in recognizing Allah as the source of all blessings and using provisions for righteous purposes; arrogance blinds one to divine wisdom and inevitably leads to destruction, regardless of worldly status.